Chapter 119

Lucas’s POV

Not guilty.

The words slice through my mind like a hot knife through butter, and my wolf howls in triumph.

Harper spins on me, her hand grabbing mine and squeezing, but before we can say anything, before the relief can set in, and before we can celebrate, someone clears their throat. We both turn to look at the main Councilman to see him staring down at us.

“Harper’s trial is resolved,” he speaks, “But that doesn’t mean we are finished.”

Harper tenses up, and I hear her heartrate pick up again as the Councilman’s eyes slide from her over to me. The calculating gaze settles over me, and I softly brush my thumb over Harper’s racing pulse in her wrist.

“Dealing with the Domain is more important than one woman’s innocence,” he says, and I want to disagree, but he’s right. The Domain needs to be shut down. “And you, Alpha Lucas, claim to have information that we need to know.”

“I do,” I speak up. The heaviness from before returns, but this time, it’s darker, more sinister. If we don’t get rid of the Domain, there will be too many growing dangers in our world to deal with ourselves.

Harper leans closer to me, her shoulder brushing my chest as the Council prepares to listen. They lean in too, almost as if they’re unable to stand the pause of silence. Their pens are up, notepads out, and hands ready to take notes on what I’m about to tell them.

The air turns cold and heavy again, but there’s one bright spot in the entire room. Harper’s presence is warm and comforting in the cold silence. Even though I can sense her nerves simmering beneath the surface, she’s doing her best to feign confidence—either for herself or for me.

Whichever it is, I’m glad for it.

And the moment her hand slips into mine, I feel like shouting in victory. Forget the danger of the Domain and the weight of the Councils’ stares… having my mate at my side is more than enough to get me through this.

“The Domain,” I start, gently squeezing Harper’s hand. “As you’ve seen, is real. While I’ve been researching and digging into the Domain, I’ve noticed people see it as a myth or a small operation. It’s not.”

“How far or deep do you think it runs?” The female Council member asks.

“Deeper than anyone knows,” I answer. “I believe that the Domain stretches over multiple territories, moving locations every few months to keep the pack leaders and you, the Council, from finding it.”

Each of them nods, scribbling on their notepads until a chorus of low growls rings through the room.

“It’s okay,” Harper whispers, crouching down. The wolves are still gathered around us, and when she crouches, they pull in closer. “You’re never going back and won’t have to be in a terrible place like that again.”

She pets them and hugs the wolves that rub against her, but instead of watching her, I turn my eyes back to the council. Surprise and something like awe light their eyes as they watch my mate.

They now know they’ve made the right decision in their not guilty ruling.

Pride swells in my chest.

“I’ve been to the Domain three times, and each time, I realized they’re more dangerous,” I speak, resting a hand on top of Harper’s head as she sits with the wolves. “Each time I was there, I found they’re organized and methodical with their security. The building the Domain is currently in is large with many corridors and rooms to house items, creatures, and merchandise.”

“Describe the merchandise they sell, please,” one of the Councilmen requests. The other Council members murmur in agreement, readying their pens again. Harper stands again at the question, her face pinching in disgust and anger.

Nodding, I wrap an arm around her waist to pull her close and give her the comfort she offered earlier when she took my hand.

I take a deep breath, and dive into the horrors I saw in the Domain. I describe the layout of the building, the booths and sellers who sold anything they could get their hands on—people, potions, animals. I describe the cells and cages that held the wolf souls and how they were going to sell Harper.

“They see anything as merchandise,” I finish, trying to push back the flashes of memory that rise in my mind. The poor animals, the greedy vendors, and the creatures that had no choice in being sold.

It’s one reason we’re here, I remind myself.

Save Harper. Then save the captives of the Domain.

“They don’t just exploit wolves or animals,” I continue. “Along with various supernatural and mystical creatures, the Domain sells people. Harper was almost sold because they captured her when she was trying to find information on the Domain. As I walked through the market, I saw Faries and Pixies being prostituted and sold for pleasure. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Domain even conducted experiments in the back.”

A low murmur breaks out among my audience.

“Anything that can be sold or bartered will be—people, animals, souls… nothing is safe from the Domain and its master,” I announce. Harper’s heartrate spikes, thumping louder in the quiet room. I pull her close, rub my hand up and down her back in a soothing manner, and hope that it helps calm her.

Surprisingly, Harper is the next to speak, “This isn’t just a problem for one pack.”

“Harper is right. The threat is larger than we could’ve known, and it needs to be taken care of for the sake of everyone. Not just werewolves,” I announce. Harper’s arm around my waist tightens, and as she leans closer, I hear her fast heartbeat return to a slower, steadier pace. Her anxiety eases a bit, the sharp tang of it fading from the air.

I breathe a little easier, knowing she finds comfort in my presence.

“We need to act before they move again,” I suggest. “If they move, we may not be able to find them easily, or at all. They’ll pull up and vanish until they feel they’re no longer exposed. After our last intrusion, they know we’re watching. If we wait too long, all the people and creatures captured in their depths will disappear as well.”

Again, silence fills the air, thickening between us and clogging the air with a heavy sense of dread. One of the Councilmen stands. His thin form, tired eyes, and gray hair tell me he’s been a member for a long time.

“What makes you think you can stop them?” He asks.

I shake my head. “I can’t… not alone, anyways. But if we work together, I believe we have a chance at taking the Domain down.”

When the Council doesn’t speak immediately, I continue, “I’m prepared to ready my pack for a strike against the Domain. My warriors are trained, and I know some of the Domain’s layout. Now that we know where to search, I’m sure I can get the layout of the compound easily. However, I don’t have enough power to do this alone. We need the Council’s support and aid to rid the world of a common enemy that makes no one safe. Not you, your families, or your wolves. No one.”

This time, the Elders don’t glare. Instead, they look nervous, shifting uncomfortably in their chairs as they murmur to each other. They lean over and talk quietly, the Council doing the same, but no one is giving me an answer.

Is it that hard to agree to help?

Irritation rises within me, and I can’t stop myself from barking at them. “We don’t have time to waste!”

All eyes jump to me, and I don’t feel sorry as I demand a response. “Give me an answer. Will you stand with me and help, or will you sit back and let the Domain hurt more people?”

The Councilman in the middle of the group stands, raising a hand. The others stand too, towering over us me and Harper.

“We hear your worries, Alpha Lucas, and we agree something needs to be done. This threat is too dangerous to ignore, so you will have our support,” the main Councilman announces. “We will provide resources and men for you to strike at the Domain again.”

Relief instantly floods my system, and I bow respectfully.

“I won’t let the Domain slip through my fingers.”